Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Business

Why Do Women Make Less Money Than Men? Are We Training Them to Earn Less?

Published or updated by

That women generally earn less than men is a well known fact. 

Many people attribute the income difference to the fact that women are more likely to leave the job field to become caretakers, either for their children or their parents.  In fact, Time reported that “over a period of 15 years, according to a 2004 study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), a full 52% of women in their prime earning age range of 26 to 59 go through at least one full calendar year earning nothing at all, compared with just 16% of men.”

Of course, that absence in the work place can account for some difference in pay, especially when women stay out of the workforce for several years while their children are young.

However, women leaving the work field to care for others is only part of the story.

When Does the Wage Gap Between Men and Women Begin?

[Read more…] about Why Do Women Make Less Money Than Men? Are We Training Them to Earn Less?

Chase Ink Cash® Business Card – Review

Published or updated by

Small business owner?  Looking for a line of credit as well as helpful tools to manage your business?

Take a serious look at the Ink Cash® Business Card.

Here’s a card for your small business offering a nice introductory bonus right now.  This one’s a credit card (as opposed to the Ink Bold® Business card which is a charge card and you must pay in full every month) and it has the added benefit of no annual fee.

Reward Yourself With Cash

[Read more…] about Chase Ink Cash® Business Card – Review

The Best Small Business Credit Cards

Published or updated by

Having a line of credit handy is extremely important for a small business.

Honestly, you never know what kind of expense may creep up that you can’t cover with your cash flow at the moment.  But it’s not easy or practical to get a business loan in a tight jam.  What to do?

Enter small business credit cards.

Not only do they provide credit, you can also find benefits such as cash back, rewards, flexible payment terms, separate tracking for business expenses, and more!

Is a business credit card always the best option for you?

No.  The CARD Act of 2009 put consumer protections in place for consumer cards but those protections aren’t mandatory for business cards.  Also, if your business expenses don’t justify a line of credit then you may be fine without a business card.  You may also find that you would be better off with a specific airlines miles card or travel rewards card that gives you better suited benefits than a card for your small business.

But if you are looking for a line of credit that’s separate from your personal cards or you are looking for a card that offers small business tools that will benefit you, like discounts or employee tracking, then a small business credit card can be a great choice.

Below are some of the best small business credit cards.  See which one best suits your business needs.

[Read more…] about The Best Small Business Credit Cards

How the IRS Decides Whether You Have a Business or a Hobby

Published or updated by

As the end of the year approaches, and tax season rears its head, it’s important to start figuring out what deductions and credits you are eligible for.

Many consumers are excited to learn that they can take deductions for hobbies as well as for businesses.

However, what is allowed when it comes to these tax deductions depends a great deal on whether the IRS thinks you have a legitimate business, or whether what you are doing is really a hobby.

Tax Deductions: Business vs. Hobby

[Read more…] about How the IRS Decides Whether You Have a Business or a Hobby

Have You Thought About the Costs of Being Self-Employed?

Published or updated by

The dream of self-employment is something that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.  Thanks to the Internet, almost anyone can start a side hustle from home.

Not only is it technically easy to become self-employed, it’s also relatively inexpensive — depending on the strategy you use.

A number of side hustles require only a computer and a fast Internet connection.  Even if you choose a more expensive venture, you can still save money by starting out at home.

Because of the ease involved, and the low startup costs that are possible, many would-be solopreneurs fail to account for other costs that they might run into.  While being self-employed works for many people, it isn’t the only satisfying career path.  And there are costs involved that you might not have thought about.

Some of the costs of being self-employed include:

[Read more…] about Have You Thought About the Costs of Being Self-Employed?